Earlier this week Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre won two national event industry venue awards, in recognition of their commitment to the Hastings and Hawke’s Bay community, and its work towards creating career pathways in the events industry. It also included Toitoi’s efforts to use arts and entertainment events as a means of supporting the region in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre staff (from left) Glen Pickering, Lara Paaymans and Megan Peacock Coyle at the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) Awards in Ōtepoti Dunedin on Wednesday night. Toitoi was named 2023 Small Venue of the Year.
Earlier this week Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre won two national event industry venue awards, in recognition of their commitment to the Hastings and Hawke’s Bay community, and its work towards creating career pathways in the events industry. It also included Toitoi’s efforts to use arts and entertainment events as a means of supporting the region in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Held in Ōtepoti Dunedin, the annual Events Venues Association of New Zealand (EVANZ) Awards recognised eight award categories this year, with Toitoi and its team named finalists in the four categories it entered, and winners of two categories.
The venue won Small Venue of the Year, and its Technical Manager, Dane Fletcher, was named Team Member of the Year. It is the second time Toitoi has been named Small Venue of the Year, having also been recognised in 2021.
In addition, Event Manager, Lara Paaymans, was a finalist for Rising Star of the Year, and Presenter Services Manager, Glen Pickering was a finalist for Team Leader of the Year.
Judging was undertaken by a panel of judges assembled from leading entertainment and events organisations and EVANZ Board members. A small venue is defined as one which has fewer than 1000 seats, with Toitoi’s Opera House seating 979.
Judges said Toitoi’s venue entry was a “great snapshot of why Toitoi is such a special venue”.
First published by SCOOP. Click here to read the full article.